SC upholds life sentence for trafficking minors

The Supreme Court has upheld the life sentence imposed on Joemarie Ubanon for trafficking three minors to work as unpaid domestic helpers in various towns 11 years ago.

In a 10-page decision, the SC Second Division found Ubanon guilty beyond reasonable doubt of qualified human trafficking and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The victims testified that Ubanon approached two 14-year-olds and one 15-year-old in Bukidnon on April 14, 2014, offering them work as onion peelers with a promised monthly wage of PHP2,500 but pressuring them to leave immediately.

The minors were taken to Marawi City where they were deployed as domestic helpers without pay and were not paid for their labor until one employer contacted Ubanon's wife’s employer who turned over the minors to police.

The SC affirmed previous rulings by the regional trial court and Court of Appeals, finding all elements of qualified trafficking present in this case.

In addition to life imprisonment, the SC ordered Ubanon to pay a total fine of PHP2 million along with moral damages of PHP500,000 and exemplary damages of PHP100,000 for each victim.